Agency overview | |
---|---|
Formed | 1 November 2011 |
Preceding agencies | |
Type | Statutory authority |
Jurisdiction | New South Wales |
Headquarters | 231 Elizabeth Street, Sydney |
Employees | 28,790 (June 2022) |
Annual budget | $28.8 billion (2022) |
Ministers responsible | |
Agency executive |
|
Parent Agency | New South Wales Department of Transport |
Key document | |
Website | www.transport.nsw.gov.au |
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) is a New South Wales government transport and road agency established on 1 November 2011. The agency is a different entity to the New South Wales Department of Transport, a department of the New South Wales Government and the ultimate parent entity of Transport for NSW. [1]
The agency's function is to build transport infrastructure and manage transport services in New South Wales. Since absorbing Roads & Maritime Services (RMS) in December 2019, [2] the agency is also responsible for building and maintaining road infrastructure, managing the day-to-day compliance and safety for roads and waterways and vehicle and driving license registrations.
The agency reports to the New South Wales Minister for Transport, Minister for Roads and the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads. [3] The ministers are responsible to the Parliament of New South Wales.
In March 1932, the first Department of Transport in New South Wales was formed by the Lang Government. [4] Following the dismissal of the Lang government and the appointment of the Stevens Government in May, in December 1932, the department was replaced by the Ministry of Transport, which was divided into three departments: [5] [6]
In June 1952, the Department of Road Transport and Tramways was further split into:
In October 1972, the Department of Government Transport and Department of Railways were abolished and were replaced by the Public Transport Commission, which continued to be part of the Ministry of Transport. The Ministry of Transport was later briefly known as Ministry of Transport and Highway between January 1975 and October 1978. In January 1989, the Department of Main Roads, Department of Motor Transport, and Traffic Authority of New South Wales merged to form Roads & Traffic Authority (RTA). [12]
In January 1990, the Ministry of Transport was abolished and replaced by a new Department of Transport and its successors:
After winning the 2011 state election, the new Liberal-Nationals government under Barry O'Farrell renamed the transport department from Transport NSW back to Department of Transport. [20] Later that year, in November 2011, the Transport for NSW was formed as a government agency and subsumed the Transport Construction Authority and the Country Rail Infrastructure Authority, and took over the planning and coordination functions of RailCorp, the State Transit Authority and Roads & Maritime Services from the Department of Transport. [21] It also absorbed the functions, assets and liabilities of Sydney Metro Authority, Public Transport Ticketing Corporation as well as some functions from the NSW Department of Planning & Infrastructure. [22]
The entities that were under Transport for NSW upon its creation, as underlined in the Transport Legislation Amendment Act 2011, were: [23]
As of April 2023 [update] , the Department of Transport continues to exist as a government department and the ultimate parent entity of Transport for NSW and its entities or divisions. [24] [25] [26] [27]
Transport for NSW contracted the Sydney ferry services to Harbour City Ferries in 2011, who started operations in 2012 and then Transdev Sydney Ferries in 2019. Transport for NSW continues to own the ferry fleet and the Balmain shipyard through its entity "Sydney Ferries". [22] This entity is not to be confused with the branding of ferries in Sydney, which also uses the brand "Sydney Ferries".
Transport for NSW established the "MTS Holding Company" on 12 March 2012, and through the holding company, purchased Metro Transport Sydney, the owner of the Sydney Light Rail and the Sydney Monorail, on 23 March 2012 for $19.8 million. [22] The company, light rail and the monorail also became under control of Transport for NSW and the government. [28] The Sydney Monorail was closed down on 1 July 2013, and on the same day, the Metro Light Rail brand was phased out as part of a broader rebranding and reorganisation of public transport services in New South Wales. [29] The light rail also became under direct ownership of Transport for NSW. [30] [31] The process of shutting down Metro Transport Sydney and transferring assets to Transport for NSW was completed in September 2014 with the deregistration of MTS Holding Company. [32] [33]
Operation and maintenance functions of RailCorp were passed on to two newly-formed government agencies, Sydney Trains and NSW Trains in July 2013, initially as subsidiaries of RailCorp. However, Sydney Trains and NSW Trains are not controlled entities of RailCorp, but are instead controlled by Transport for NSW. [34] The suburban services of CityRail (also a part of RailCorp) were transferred to Sydney Trains, while CountryLink (also a part of RailCorp) and the intercity services of CityRail were passed on to NSW Trains, trading as NSW TrainLink. As a result, CityRail and CountryLink were abolished.
In July 2017, Sydney Trains and NSW Trains became independent and standalone agencies under Transport for NSW, and ceased to be subsidiaries of RailCorp. [35] [36] At the same time, the Residual Transport Corporation (RTC) was formed. RailCorp continued to exist as the railway asset owner until 1 July 2020, when it was converted into a state-owned corporation and renamed Transport Asset Holding Entity (TAHE). [37] [38] [39] [40] The RTC will then own assets that are not suitable for TAHE ownership. [35]
In July 2018, the Sydney Metro Delivery Office, which was formed in 2011, was converted into a standalone Sydney Metro operating agency under Transport for NSW, similar to Sydney Trains and NSW Trains. [41]
After the 2019 state election, the government announced they would be merging Roads & Maritime Services (RMS) into Transport for NSW, to integrate roads and transport into a single agency. [42] Legislation to dissolve RMS and transfer its functions to Transport for NSW was passed in the NSW Parliament and granted royal assent in November 2019. [43] [44] RMS was dissolved and merged into Transport for NSW on 1 December 2019. [2]
On 1 April 2022, the Greater Sydney Parklands Trust was transferred from the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) to Transport for NSW. The trust comprised Centennial Parklands (including Moore Park and Queens Park), Western Sydney Parklands, Parramatta Park, Callan Park and Fernhill Estate, and their individual park trusts. [45] [46] The Luna Park Reserve Trust, Place Management NSW and the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust and Smart Places Strategy were also transferred from DPE to Transport for NSW. [47] [48]
The authority develops regulations, policies and legislation to ensure that transport is delivered to a high standard, meets community needs, protects assets and public money, minimises environmental impact, and ensures the community is safe. The authority manages an annual multibillion-dollar transport budget and in partnership with the transport operating agencies manages more than A$106 billion in property, plant and equipment assets. Funding is provided for rail, bus, ferry, light rail, roads and community transport services and related infrastructure. The authority also funds concession schemes such as the School Student Transport Scheme, the Private Vehicle Conveyance Scheme and the Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme. [1]
The authority was initially created as an integrated transport authority with six divisions, each headed by a deputy director general: [49]
As of July 2019 [update] , Transport for NSW is structured as follows: [50]
The NSW Department of Transport comprises the following entities: [51]
Transport Service of NSW is an agency created in November 2011, in charge of employing staff for Transport for NSW, which cannot directly employ staff, to undertake its functions. The Transport Service also directly employs staff for State Transit Authority (STA), as well as senior executives of Sydney Trains and NSW Trains. [52]
As of July 2020 [update] , the entities of Transport for NSW, as detailed in Transport Administration Act 1988, are: [53]
Out of these, STA, Sydney Trains, Sydney Metro authority, and NSW Trains are government transport agencies. [50]
The following individuals have served as Secretary of Transport for NSW, or any precedent titles:
Ordinal | Name | Title | Term start | Term end | Time in office | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Les Wielinga | Director-General | 20 April 2011 | 24 September 2013 | 2 years, 157 days | [55] [56] |
2 | Dave Stewart | 17 October 2013 | 16 February 2015 | 1 year, 122 days | [57] [58] | |
3 | Tim Reardon | Secretary | 1 July 2015 | 10 November 2017 | 2 years, 132 days | [59] [60] |
4 | Rodd Staples | 18 November 2017 | 19 February 2021 | 3 years, 93 days | [61] [60] [62] [63] | |
5 | Rob Sharp | 7 April 2021 | 14 April 2023 | 2 years, 7 days | [64] | |
(acting) | Howard Collins | 15 April 2023 | 13 July 2023 | 89 days | [65] | |
6 | Josh Murray | 13 July 2023 | incumbent | 297 days | [66] |
The Secretary of Transport for NSW is responsible to the Ministers (below).
The following ministers are responsible for administering the Transport cluster: [67]
Ultimately, the Ministers are responsible to the Parliament of New South Wales.
Transport for NSW directly manages most train, bus, ferry and light rail services in New South Wales. The authority manages the route design, timetabling and branding of these services and also provides passenger information via printed material, a telephone service and a website. [68] Operation of the services is contracted out to a mixture of other government-owned organisations and private enterprise. [69]
Transport for NSW public transport services are simply branded Transport. The following sub-brands are used depending on the type of service:
Passengers made 765 million public transport journeys in the 2017-18 financial year. [70] Patronage on the Sydney rail network increased during this period–customer patronage grew by 10.5 per cent, while intercity patronage grew by 11 per cent. [71] [72]
Transport for NSW provides a trip planner and transport service information on its customer service website, transportnsw.info, and via its 24-hour information line, 131 500. [68] These services, outsourced to Serco since July 2010, were previously known as the Transport InfoLine or simply 131500. [73] A parallel Teletype service for hearing and speech impaired passengers is available on 1800 637 500.
Project | Mode | Completion date |
---|---|---|
Parramatta Light Rail (stage 1) | Light rail | May 2024 |
Sydney Metro City & Southwest | Rapid transit | 2024 |
Sydney Metro West | Rapid transit | 2032 |
Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport (stage 1) | Rapid transit | Western Sydney Airport opening (2026) |
Automatic Train Protection Systems / Digital Train Radio Systems | Commuter rail | ongoing |
Transport Access Program | Public transport interchange | ongoing |
More Trains More Services | Commuter rail | ongoing |
Project | Mode | Completed | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kingsgrove to Revesby quadruplication | Rail Clearways Program | Suburban rail | April 2013 | |
Liverpool Turnback | January 2014 | |||
Lilyfield – Dulwich Hill Light Rail Extension | Light rail | March 2014 | ||
Monorail Removal Project | Monorail | April 2014 | ||
Auburn stabling sidings | Suburban rail | September 2014 | ||
Opal Card rollout | Electronic ticketing | December 2014 | ||
South West Rail Link | Suburban rail | February 2015 | ||
Gosford passing loops | Northern Sydney Freight Corridor Program | Freight rail | February 2015 | |
North Strathfield underpass | June 2015 | |||
Epping to Thornleigh triplication | June 2016 | |||
Wynyard Walk | Pedestrian | September 2016 | [74] | |
Newcastle Light Rail | Light rail | 18 February 2019 | [75] | |
Sydney Metro Northwest | Rapid transit | May 2019 | ||
CBD and South East Light Rail | L2 Randwick Line | Light rail | 14 December 2019 | [76] |
L3 Kingsford Line | 3 April 2020 | [77] |
Some of the following key road building projects were inherited from Roads & Maritime Services in December 2019.
Project | Description | Completion date |
---|---|---|
Princes Highway upgrade | Upgrading to four-lane dual carriageway from the Jervis Bay turnoff to link up with the Sydney Orbital Network near Mascot | ongoing |
WestConnex | 2023 | |
Sydney Gateway | 2024 | |
Western Harbour Tunnel | 2026 to 2028 | |
M12 Motorway | Western Sydney Airport opening (2026) | |
Project | Description | Completion date |
---|---|---|
NorthConnex | 31 October 2020 | |
Pacific Highway upgrade | Upgrading to continuous minimum four-lane dual carriageway between the Hexham and Tweed Heads | December 2020 |
CityRail was a passenger railway brand operated by the State Rail Authority from 1989 to 2003 and by RailCorp from 2003 to 2013 with services in and around Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, the three largest cities in New South Wales, Australia. It was established in January 1989 and abolished in June 2013 when it was superseded by Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink.
Rail Corporation New South Wales (RailCorp) was an agency of the State of New South Wales, Australia established under the Transport Administration Act 1988 in 2004. It was a division under the control of Transport for NSW since the latter's establishment in 2011. RailCorp was converted into a state-owned corporation and renamed Transport Asset Holding Entity (TAHE) on 1 July 2020.
The State Transit Authority of New South Wales, also referred to as State Transit, was an agency of the Government of New South Wales operating bus services in Sydney. Superseding the Urban Transit Authority in 1989, it was also responsible for the provision of ferry services in Sydney until 2004 and bus and ferry services in Newcastle until 2017. It ceased trading after 2 April 2022 with its remaining operations to be contracted out by Transport for NSW to replacement operators.
Sydney Ferries is the public transport ferry network serving the city of Sydney, New South Wales. Services operate on Sydney Harbour and the connecting Parramatta River. The network is controlled by the New South Wales Government's transport authority, Transport for NSW, and is part of the authority's Opal ticketing system. In 2017–18, 15.3 million passenger journeys were made on the network.
The Public Transport Commission (PTC) was an agency of the Government of New South Wales responsible for the provision of rail, bus and ferry services in New South Wales, Australia from October 1972 until June 1980.
The New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) was a department of the New South Wales Government, responsible for effective and sustainable planning to support the growth in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It made plans based on evidence for the state's cities and regions, working with the community, business and local government to create places for people in NSW to live, work and spend their leisure time, while ensuring good access to transport and other services like shops and restaurants. The department was also responsible for the evidence-based assessment of state significant development applications.
Transport in Sydney is provided by an extensive network of public transport operating modes including metro, train, bus, ferry and light rail, as well as an expansive network of roadways, cycleways and airports. According to the 2006 census, in terms of travel to work or study Sydney has the highest rate of public transport usage among the Australian capital cities of 26.3% with more than 80% of weekday trips to/from Central Sydney being made by public transport. According to the New South Wales State Plan, the state has Australia's largest public transport system. The public transport network is regulated by Transport for NSW.
Buses account for close to six per cent of trips each day in the city of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, forming a key part of the city's public transport system. The network initially evolved from a privately operated system of feeder services to railway stations in the outer suburbs, and a publicly operated network of bus services introduced to replace trams in the inner suburbs. The bus network has undergone major reforms since the 2000s–2010s, with the New South Wales Government taking responsibility for route and fare-setting, opening contracts for most routes up to competitive tendering, and introducing more cross-suburban services.
Public transport ticketing in New South Wales, Australia operated using magnetic-stripe technology between 1989 and 2016. This ticketing system, known variously as the Automated fare collection system, STATS and, from 2010, MyZone, was progressively replaced by a contactless smart card called Opal between 2012 and 2016.
Rouse Hill railway station is an elevated Sydney Metro station on Tempus Street in Rouse Hill, New South Wales, Australia. The station serves the Metro North West Line and was built as part of the Sydney Metro Northwest project.
The Minister for Transport is a minister in the Government of New South Wales who has responsibilities which include transport policy and regulation, to setting of fares and concessions for rail, ferry, bus and light rail transport, and the administration of maritime facilities in New South Wales, Australia.
Opal is a contactless smartcard fare collection system for public transport services in the greater Sydney area and most other urban areas of New South Wales, Australia. Operation of the Opal system is managed by the New South Wales Government's transport authority, Transport for NSW. First launched in late 2012, Opal is valid on Transport for NSW's metro, train, bus, ferry and light rail services that operate in Sydney and the neighbouring Central Coast, Hunter Region, Blue Mountains, Illawarra and Southern Highlands areas. Opal equipment was designed from the start to support a variety of cards, but launched with the captive Opal cards.
WestConnex is a 33-kilometre (21 mi) predominantly underground motorway scheme in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. A joint project of the New South Wales and Federal governments, the motorway scheme created around 26 kilometres (16 mi) of new tunnels between Homebush and Kingsgrove, passing underneath Inner West suburbs including Haberfield and St Peters. The first of the tunnels, the M4 East, opened to traffic in July 2019. The second of the tunnels, the M8 Motorway, opened to traffic a year later in July 2020. The third of the tunnels which extend the M4 and M8 opened to traffic in January 2023. The final component of the scheme, the Rozelle Interchange, opened to traffic in November 2023.
NSW TrainLink is a train and coach operator in Australia, providing services throughout New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, along with limited interstate services into Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. Its primary intercity and regional services are spread throughout five major rail lines, operating out of Sydney's Central railway station.
Sydney Trains is the operator and brand name of the train network serving the Greater Sydney metropolitan area in New South Wales, Australia. The network is a hybrid urban-suburban rail system with a central underground core that covers 369 km (229 mi) of route length over 813 km (505 mi) of track, with 170 stations on eight lines.
The Sydney Metro is a fully automated rapid transit system in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The first component, the Metro North West Line, opened on 26 May 2019, running between Tallawong and Chatswood. It currently consists of 13 stations and 36 km (22.4 mi) of twin tracks, mostly underground. Work is progressing to extend this line from Chatswood to Bankstown as part of the City & Southwest project, which will run under Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Central Business District (CBD), with a scheduled 2025 completion. When completed, the entire line from Tallawong to Bankstown will have 66 km (41.0 mi) of twin tracks and 31 stations.
Sydney Metro City & Southwest is a 30-kilometre (19 mi) rapid transit project currently under-construction in Sydney, Australia. The project will extend the Metro North West Line from Chatswood on the North Shore, to Bankstown in the city's south-west via the Sydney central business district.
The Parramatta Light Rail is a 12-kilometre (7 mi) standard gauge light rail line currently under construction in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
The 2010s saw many developments relating to transport in the Australian city of Sydney, New South Wales. The decade saw a substantial investment in infrastructure, including a new airport, motorway projects, light rail lines, Australia's first metro system, the new Waratah fleet and the demise of the non-air conditioned S sets from the rail network. Planning and branding of public transport services became substantially more centralised.
Transport Asset Holding Entity of New South Wales (TAHE) is a state-owned corporation of the New South Wales Government in New South Wales, Australia, established under the Transport Administration Act 1988. It was converted and renamed from RailCorp on 1 July 2020. As a state-owned corporation, it is not an agency or division of Transport for NSW.